Page 3262 - Week 12 - Thursday, 19 November 1992
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Quite obviously, the Liberal Party is delighted to congratulate the Hyatt Hotel, the Bungendore Wood Works, Floriade and the ACT Institute of TAFE, which is now the Canberra Institute of Technology. I have had a long relationship with that body. I enjoy meals there, and have enjoyed them there for many years, from time to time. I would like especially to congratulate Lyn Smith and Ron Mantel, the business manager, and his staff, for the fantastic tourism attraction that it provides to the ACT and for the wonderful training it provides to so many of our young people. Many have become nationally and internationally famous because of the training that they achieved in Canberra.
Once again, I compliment the Government on its announcement of an international hotel management school in Canberra. It is something that people on this side of the house have been alluding to for a couple of years at least, so I am delighted to say that we are in strong support of the Government's intention to set up an international hotel management school at the Canberra Institute of Technology.
Mr Deputy Speaker, award nights like the one that many of us attended show the breadth and scope of the talent that we have here in the ACT. The Canberra City Band, the Meryl Tankard dancers, and many other entertainers and people in the ACT who performed are testimony to the great array of talent we have in the ACT.
The Chief Minister, Mr Deputy Speaker, also made some statements about improving the profitability of the tourism industry. I think that enough was said yesterday about the fact that the tourism industry is more than just a single industry. It comprises hundreds of small businesses and they are not immune from what goes on from time to time. May I also say that we on this side of the house appreciate the wonderful contribution that the new casino will make to our economy by attracting visitors. I have to get into the habit of calling people visitors.
Mr Lamont: The opal expo.
MR DE DOMENICO: Mr Lamont obviously wants me to finish quickly.
Mr Lamont: The opal expo.
MR DE DOMENICO: Okay. Yes, in taking on that interjection from Mr Lamont, any person who attracts extra tourism dollars and expenditure in the ACT and at the same time increases our ability to provide extra services that are attractive to visitors is welcome. Are you happy now, Mr Lamont?
Mr Lamont: Thank you, Mr De Domenico.
MR DE DOMENICO: So, as I was saying, the casino is most welcome. I now turn to what the Chief Minister said about the new unit that has been established. That is a good thing. I understand that the committee that initially was supposed to be looking at the 2002 Commonwealth Games has been given a broader responsibility to look into various other attractions. That is also a good thing, Mr Deputy Speaker.
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